WNC Youth OUTRight has social meetings every Friday night from 6:30-9:00pm at the Jefferson House, next to Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville.(For directions to the UU Church, please see below.) Each meeting is structured to include a group sharing session, and an educational program.

What Happens at a Youth OUTRight Meeting?

Meetings are free, confidential and open to youth ages 14-23. Refreshments are served, and free educational pamphlets and newspapers are available for you and your parents to take home. One of our facilitators will introduce themselves and help you get comfortable in the room. We open the meeting by introducing ourselves around the circle, and getting to know each other. Then we move on to our evening program. Check our calendar on the front for upcoming programs! It’s a very casual, friendly atmosphere with 3 trained adult facilitators present at each meeting.

Q: Do I have to be “out” to attend the meetings?
A: No. In fact, on of the main reasons for the existence of this group is for you to be supported no matter where you are in your coming out process, even if you choose not to come out. It’s YOUR space.

Q: Is it okay to use my chosen name and not my birth name?
A: Yes. Please do. If your birth name is, for example, Margaret, and you want to be called Bob, please tell us. It’s all about free gender expression.

Q: How do I know if a meeting is cancelled?

A: We will change the status update message on our Myspace page and/or here on the website to announce the cancellation  of a meeting. Meetings will never be cancelled if we can help it.

Q: If I am a parent/guardian, can I enter the building at the end of the meeting to pick up my child?
A: No. In order to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the meeting attendees, we ask parents/guardians, or otherwise non-meeting-attendees to please wait outside in your car until the meeting is over. We will end at 9:00 p.m. every night.

Q: Can I come to the meeting if I am not gay?
A: Yes. Plain and simple.

Youth OUTRight Group Guidelines

• Confidentiality is a top priority.
• We address the challenges and feelings surrounding the relationships GLBTQ people have with their families and friends.
• We avoid making generalizations and instead express feelings, rather than opinions.
• We offer support by sharing our own experiences, rather than giving advice. Our goal is to be supportive, not confrontational.
• Everyone is encouraged to participate verbally. Silence, however, is acceptable for those who choose it.
• Monopolizing is unfair to others who may wish to speak. Sessions are structured so that everyone has a chance to participate.

DIRECTIONS TO THE JEFFERSON HOUSE AND UU CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE

From I-240

Take Exit 5B- toward CHARLOTTE ST. Continue North on CHARLOTTE ST.
Church is located at the intersection of CHARLOTTE and EDWIN PLACE at 1 Edwin Place, Asheville NC 28801. Jefferson House is located to the left of the church at 21 Edwin Place.

General & Handicapped Parking

Most of our members and visitors park on the streets surrounding the church.
There are three small parking lots accessible from Bond Street. Take a Left onto Bond street just past Edwin Place to access the parking lots. Handicapped parking can be found in the Bond Street parking lot closest to the church foyer, along Charlotte Street near the handicapped entrance to the sanctuary, and along Edwin Place near the Church entrance.